MOGADISHU, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Suspected pirates have hijacked a Yemeni-flagged fishing boat off Eyl, northern Somalia, the European Union naval force said on Tuesday.

EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Atalanta, which was informed of the suspected attack Sunday, is now coordinating with maritime security partners in the area, it said in a statement.

"The incident is under investigation," the statement said, adding that all verified information and assessments by Atalanta experts will be shared through the appropriate channels with the shipping industry.

Heavily armed Somali pirates sometimes use hijacked dhows or fishing vessels as "mother ships" to launch long-range attacks.

In mid-January, the International Chamber of Commerce's International Maritime Bureau (IMB) called for vigilance along the Somalia coastline and the Gulf of Aden, as piracy still remains a threat.

Last year, eight piracy incidents were reported on seas along the Somalia coastline, according to the IMB. Enditem

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